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When first learning a musical instrument, it is often the flexibility of a person that gives them an advantage to playing with superior technique. In the case of hand flexibility, the ability to easily span octaves or assume challenging fingerings make technically demanding pieces seem much more feasible. However, in cases of extreme mobility, musicians will often revert to firm pressures to better stabilize their instrument. When firm pressures are applied against a firm surface, often posistions of hyperextension are assumed. Such positions, especially frequently repeated or chronically maintained, put your joints at risk for injury. Contrastingly, many people with extreme joint flexibility will try to brace themselves by co-contracting multiple muscle groups to give a feel of stability. Often, in these cases, the muscles become more subject to injury as they approach a state of fatigue and overuse. Potential solutions for musicians who suffer from too much joint flexibility include ring splints- as seen in the picture below. Splints, such as those found at www.silverringsplint.com allow the musician functional use of their fingers, while adding an external support to the joints to prevent injury.

Proper fit and splint selection are essential for best outcomes with assistance in music performance. Be sure to consult a PT or certified hand therapist to assist you with you decisions!

Have you ever experienced back pain with associated sciatica down one of your legs? Perhaps the pain / numbness down your leg and back have subsided, but a few years have gone by and that same leg now just doesn’t feel the same? Likely, the hamstring feels tight, maybe your calf cramps more or your foot now hurts.

A possible reason why is that even thought your sciatica and back pain symptoms calmed, the sciatic nerve is still irritated mildly that can cause the muscle, fascia, or other tissues that the sciatic nerve innervated down your leg can now become compromised and aches and pains can begin in sights other than your back and sciatic nerve – that are related to your previous back injury.

The Motion Stability team has the ability to differentially assess if your sciatic nerve is still a contributing factor to your pain, and provide the proper treatment regimens to treat the associated pain you have.